The Flash 1×20 – The Trap

“Fate…it’s tricky, isn’t it? I come here to destroy you. And then to get home, I have to be the one who creates you.”

Wow, that was mind-blowing.

After a couple of very mediocre episodes, The Flash wasted no time in putting all of its cards out on the table, revealing several twists and providing one of its most intense and thought-provoking episodes ever. I haven’t truly enjoyed an hour like this since the last ten minutes of Out of Time. Incredible.

I thought the teaser was an outstanding opening to the episode, finally revealing to Barry, Cisco and Caitlin the truth about Harrison Wells (or Eobard Thawne) and his secret hidden room. All the reveals from Gideon to Iris West-Allen to Barry becoming director of the Central City Police to him vanishing in the future were so powerful, I was glued to my seat.

There was no villain-of-the-week this time, but instead the focus shifted merely to Eobard who proved to be much smarter than any member of Team Flash (name still subject to change). I have to say he took me by surprise when he tricked everyone else by using the shape-shifter (Hannibal Bates from last week’s episode) to fight his own battles. It was a thrilling, electrifying scene that proves just how much this show is willing to take risks and change its status quo (that is, unless the writers decide to travel back in time again but I’m hoping that doesn’t happen).

Honestly, there is nothing like The Flash on TV right now. It has created a unique universe for itself that’s so colorful and entertaining, and equally baffling. Take Iris discovering Barry’s secret (finally!) for example. It could have easily been a cringe-worthy, lame moment but because The Flash knows exactly what it is and how to deliver its twists in a distinctive (if slightly comical) fashion, the result is truly entertaining. Even a character that has been written horribly like Iris ends up having a storyline that makes the show’s early shortcomings almost forgettable. I say almost because I’m eager to see how Iris deals with this new information she possesses.

Finally, I love how everything is falling into place and setting us up for a fascinating finale. The Reverse Flash capturing Eddie in what is possibly the worst timing in humankind (well, metahumankind) should have some truly captivating repercussions next week. We’re headed towards an epic Flash/Reverse Flash battle and I cannot friggin’ wait.

Speedy Bits

– The newspaper clipping from the future is seriously so exciting: “After an extreme street battle with the Reverse-Flash, our city’s very own Scarlet Speedster disappeared in an explosion of light. The cause of the fight is currently unknown. According to witnesses, The Flash, with help from Starling City’s Green Arrow, The Atom, and Hawkgirl, began fighting the Reverse-Flash around midnight last night”.

– And “Wayne Tech/Queen Inc Merger Complete”! This show right now…I am speechless.

– Even more teases included Gideon saying: “…also known as The Flash, founding member of—” before getting cut off. Come on, just say Justice League damn-it!

– I kinda loved the Iris West-Allen twist here even though I still see zero chemistry between her and Barry, but this created a great sense of confusion for The Flash as Eddie came up to him and told him he wants to propose. Okay, it may have been a little on-the-nose.

– Cicso’s excitement as he learned about Gideon was so hilarious to watch!

– I’ve said this so many times before, but seriously Tom Cavanagh has been playing Harrison Wells/Eobard Thawne in a way that’s impeccably amusing and terrifying. Kudos.

– The scene where everyone thinks they killed Thawne before it’s revealed they have been tricked was epic. Cavanagh’s voice gives me the chills.

– Hilarious: Eddie thinking it’s all been about him in the closing moments of the episode. A bit self-absorbed are we, Eddie?

– I didn’t really dig the captain’s subplot with his fiancé getting trapped in a fire. But then this random event served as a great contrast to the Wells/Flash confrontation that happened in the end.

– I’m late but I JUST found out that Gideon’s voice is portrayed by the lovely Morena Baccarin. So when she’s not the adorable Dr. Leslie Thompkins on Gotham, she’s the A.I. personal assistant. I already think she should stick with this DC adaptation even though we haven’t seen much of her yet.

– Iris’ flashback was really good! What’s happening? Why do I love her all of a sudden?

Red Blurs & One-Liners

Cisco: Suppose we now change the color on your suit. Will it be because we got the idea from this picture? That would mean we’re living in a casual nexus. This…wow. This is so trippy. Like Marty and the Polaroid trippy.

Harrison: If there is anything that I have learned in our time together, Barry, it is that the only thing standing in the way of you achieving every goal that you set for yourself is you. There is no limit to how strong you will get or how fast you will go. Everything that you need, you already have.

Barry: Thank you, Dr. Wells. You know, I couldn’t have done any of this without you.
Harrison: I feel the same about you.

Harrison: Cops…as inconvenient now as they will be in a hundred years.

Harrison: I told you this before. I am always one step ahead…Flash. Allow me to reintroduce to you Mr. Hannibal Bates and his incredible ability to transform into any person he touches. I knew that ability would come in handy. I did not expect it to come in handy this soon!

Conclusion

A game-changing and thrilling hour, all thanks to an incredible baddie and the show’s willingness to advance its plot forward. What a show.

Chris RatingA

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Published by Chris Chedrawi

A computer science graduate hoping to write his own TV show one day, Chris is a regular guest reviewer on Nad's Reviews and is currently covering Will & Grace and The Americans, among other shows.
View all posts by Chris Chedrawi

2 comments

You know, I thought last week was veeery mediocre, in terms of both the story and the villain of the week, because we basically just saw the characters finding the things out the audience already knew and I personally thought there was far more potential for a shapeshifter to bring chaos. Now I know that was a setup for this episode. Clever, Flash writers, very clever.

As for Iris West-Allen… I personally would like to think Barry and Iris didn't grow up and saw each other as siblings in the original timeline, because Barry's mother wasn't killed by Thawne and his father arrested. Then their relationship wouldn't creep me out since episode 1. But yeah, I don't see any chemistry either. Maybe I'll change my mind next episode.

I had a look at the newspaper article they showed in the pilot (http://i.imgur.com/bdKy46g.jpg) and the headlines are still the same, but the text is no longer gibberish and the original author was an “Evan Gibson”. I guess the writers didn't want to give away too much right at the beginning, haha.

Caitlin's actress also hyped up this episode, since she promised some frosty Caitlin flashbacks on twitter, but apparently they are cut, so I'm a bit disappointed.

Great find on the article they showed in the pilot! Maybe they weren't even sure they wanted to go down this path back then.

And yeah I was so disappointed that the Caitlin flashbacks were cut! It's such a shame because the same thing happen on Arrow this week with Laurel's scene! Not cool, writers. Especially since both women are my favorite characters on these shows.